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Communicate with patients to ascertain feelings or need for assistance or social and emotional support.
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Turn or reposition bedridden patients.
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Record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff.
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Gather information from caregivers, nurses, or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities.
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Restock patient rooms with personal hygiene items, such as towels, washcloths, soap, or toilet paper.
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Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff.
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Change bed linens or make beds.
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Assist nurses or physicians in the operation of medical equipment or provision of patient care.
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Collect specimens, such as urine, feces, or sputum.
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Apply clean dressings, slings, stockings, or support bandages, under direction of nurse or physician.
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Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, ensuring proper documentation and delivery to authorized personnel.
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Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising.
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Set up treating or testing equipment, such as oxygen tents, portable radiograph (x-ray) equipment, or overhead irrigation bottles, as directed by a physician or nurse.
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Wash, groom, shave, or drape patients to prepare them for surgery, treatment, or examination.
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Supply, collect, or empty bedpans.
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Exercise patients who are comatose, paralyzed, or have restricted mobility.
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Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink.
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Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.
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Administer medications or treatments, such as catheterizations, suppositories, irrigations, enemas, massages, or douches, as directed by a physician or nurse.
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Provide information, such as directions, visiting hours, or patient status information to visitors or callers.
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Stock or issue medical supplies, such as dressing packs or treatment trays.
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Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.
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Review patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure patient receives appropriate diet.
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Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation.
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Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds.
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Observe or examine patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds, or blood in urine.
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Prepare or serve food trays.
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Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.
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Record height or weight of patients.
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Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves.
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Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements.
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Explain medical instructions to patients or family members.
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Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses.